Walmart after currency conversion are still 50% cheaper. Really shows how profit greedy both players are here.
Our fast food operators really take everyone for a ride. I got a large coke the other day was nearly $5. I got a XL jumbo one in Los Angeles from the same franchise for $1.50.
I actually noticed a American couple the other month asking about free refills. The operator seemed a little lost on the idea.
Coke No Sugar Cans 30 block is another example.
At Woolworths/Coles itâs generally around $40 when itâs not on special, $20-$25 on special. If you go to Costco, a 36 block costs $25.
How does that work out.
People still buy it, that is how it works out.
I had noticed the big price difference between Coca Cola and Pepsi but looks like this has all changed in the last week. Pepsi 30 cans were $19 at Coles or Woolworths. They often had them on special for $17.50. I bought two cartons at this price a couple of weeks ago.
Now, it seems the regular price will be $32 at Woolies and $30.80 Coles but it is on special this week for $21. What has happened? This is the catalogue this week:
Thatâs almost regular Coke prices, Pepsi was always $5+ less than coke. 
Likely a change of strategy from having an everyday low price for the product vs an overpriced RRP and a 30 or 40% off special that runs every few weeks.
I have to wonder if this strategy works. I find it really frustrating when I buy something and then go back to the supermarket the following week and see it for ½ Price.
Pepsi Max 2L has been $2.15 everywhere for a while now - this week itâs gone up to $2.40 (12% increase) at both my local Supa IGA and Coles so I assume itâs across the board.
Meanwhile the organisation I work for has started hinting that there will be no (or minimal) pay reviews again this year for the third year in a row. And we are in an industry that has benefited from the pandemic. Iâd say Iâm a good 10% worse off each week now than pre-pandemic and thatâs before interest rates start increasing which they will at some point.
Sounds like theyâve moved back to the strategy that they were using prior (wouldnât be surprising if theyâve cut a better deal to not have a static price)
Retail margins on soft drinks have traditionally been tight - storage and transport is costly
Back when I was a checkout chick at Action Supermarkets, it was $1.78 for a 600ml coke.
I have no doubt all the logistics stuff has all come into play here as well - or a change in strategy.
Interestingly, although the recent hike is probably out of step, according to the RBAâs inflation calculator, $1.78 in 1999 is worth around $3.11 now.
(But have no doubt efficiencies etc do also mean profit margins have changed)
There is a whole pile of items that are as they call it high/low.
These at some half price culprits.
Dishwasher tablets (fairy, finish)
Dishwasher detergent (Palmolive)
Toilet cleaner (Bref)
Potato chips
Decor containers
LâOrĂŠal
Dynamo laundry liquid
Powerade/Gatorade
Lindt, boxed chocolates etc
Soft drink slabs always 30-40% off.
Iâve actually stopped buying all these deals and opted for the low price always Woolworths essentials in Many items. I just canât be bothered waiting week on and off for whatâs on half price.
Iâve noticed they have hiked the price on many half price âRRPsâ. So not really half price.
Iâve noticed with Woolworths that they appear to be really driving their sales data hard to determine optimal cycles for sales on some items.
Here are some latest Retail news:
A 600ml coke was $3.11 pre-Covid and into Covid it was at Woolworths anyway. No Idea what the price is at the moment though when you take in the current price rises.
Itâs $3.75 at Woolworths in Sydney. I think itâs the same price at Coles but they often put it on special like this week itâs $3.15.
Either way, these chilled prices are outrageous. Especially considering that the same supermarkets can sell a 1 litre, 1.25 litre or 2 litre bottle for the same price or less.
That seemed to start with news and end with speculation 
This is even higher $3.95
https://www.bigw.com.au/product/coca-cola-bottle-600ml/p/93167
The 1.25L is $3.40 full price or $2.50 on special. I guess there is a premium for smaller chilled convenience
That link comes up as $4.10 for me - Iâll take that on Afterpay, thanks
I think they charge more for drinks in some states (SA?) to fund the higher recycling scheme.
